I am over the moon to be one of two stops today on Christie Barlow’s Evie’s Year of Taking Chances blog tour 🙂

Publisher: Bookouture (10th March 2017)

It’s Evie’s birthday and the start of a year she’ll never forget. An emotional story of love, friendship and grabbing life by the horns.Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books – after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother.

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past.

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken?

A romantic, funny and poignant story of living life to the full and finding love in the most unlikely of places. Fans of Debbie Johnson and Cathy Bramley will adore this book!

My review…..

Well, what a wonderful story this is!

Having read and loved Lizzie’s Christmas Escape in December, I jumped at the chance to read Evie’s Year of Taking Chances and I am so glad I did. It’s a lovely story which made me smile often and cry also. It’s a very emotional read and one I am sure many will relate to in some way.

I loved that Mim’s cafe is featured. I haven’t visited the real one, but have heard so many good things about it.

Evie hasn’t had the happiest of childhoods, but since being fostered by Irene life has been better. Irene has always treated her as her own and she loves her dearly for it. They have a lovely relationship. Evie loves her job as a librarian and she has her own little two up two down which she loves. She has always wondered about her birth mother though. As she celebrates another Birthday she decides it’s time to take the plunge and start a search. She has no idea if her mother will want to be found or even if she is still alive, but she must try.

As she waits for news, half expecting there not to be any, she learns that handsome author, Noah Jones, will be in town for a book signing soon. She had met Noah some months ago and he had been on her mind ever since. Her best friend, Clara, encourages her to follow him on Twitter and it seems he hasn’t forgotten her either. Could this be the start of a beautiful romance?

It isn’t long before The Salvation Army get in touch with Evie. They have found her mother and she’s written her a letter. Nothing could prepare Evie for what had happened though or who in fact her mother actually is! She experiences a roller-coaster of emotions as she uncovers the truth.

Evie’s Year of Taking Chances is a completely compelling story, full of the most wonderful characters with heart-warming and sometimes heart-breaking stories to tell. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all! It’s full of surprises and I do love a happy ending.

I highly recommend to anyone looking for an uplifting story with characters you’ll fall in love with.

Many thanks, as always, to Bookouture for my auto-approval status on Netgalley and to Kim Nash for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour 🙂

About the author…..

Christie Barlow was born in Cheshire and had a successful career as a civil servant until she decided to trade it in for something more glamorous: ironing, mucking out chickens and horses and chasing a mad cocker spaniel while rearing four children. Christie wrote her debut novel, A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, as an example to her kids about realising their dreams.

What other readers are saying about Christie Barlow…..

‘An utterly gorgeous story, with an utterly gorgeous plot that kept me turning the pages … left me feeling full of happiness and hope.’Becca’s Books

‘This is an excellent book which swept me along so well that I read it in less than a day. I loved the characters and the story and will definitely be reading more by this author. This is definitely a book to read curled up with a mug of tea or hot chocolate.’ Bookloverwormblog

‘A heart-warming and cosy countryside read with characters you will love.’ Rachael Lucas

‘I found this book really enjoyable, the author has an engaging writing style that managed to draw me into the storyline and the lives of our character. The storyline flowed at a great pace and I raced through the book in no time soaking up the wonderful detailed descriptions. I can see that fans of Cathy Bramley and Cathy Woodman would love this book.’ Rea’s Book Reviews

‘This will have you laughing and smiling one minute and then you’ll feel it pulling at your heart strings.’ Crooks on Books

‘I didn’t want to put the book down.’ Best Crime Books and More

‘A soul-boosting necessity. I have a suspicion it’s been sprinkled with a little bit of magic, as on the darkest days it’ll warm your cockles and make everything seem right with the world.’ Little Bookness Lane

‘A fantastic story, one that will keep you reading long into the night, just to find out what happens’. Rachel’s Random Reads

‘I was unable to put this book down. I read it within a day because I was so drawn in to the characters themselves it was like I knew them. I would completely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Definitely a huge 5 stars!’ Katie’s Reading Korner Review

‘This had me gripped from the first chapter. It will have you laughing, crying and will just give you a warm feeling inside.’ Laura H Book Blog